ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s Miko Rose, the founding dean of IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine, has been elected as a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychiatrists by the Fellows of the American College of Neuropsychiatrists/American College of Osteopathic Neurologists and Psychiatrists.
Candidates for ACN fellowship are nominated by two current fellows and are reviewed by the ACN Board of Governors. Fellows must be board certified and serve the American College of Neurologists and Psychiatrists in some capacity.
Less than 150 physicians nationwide hold the “Fellows” designation.
The mission of the organization is to promote the art and science of osteopathic medicine in the fields of neurology and psychiatry; to maintain and further evaluate the highest standards of proficiency and training among osteopathic neurologists and psychiatrists; to stimulate original research and investigation in neurology and psychiatry; and to collect and disseminate the results of such work for the benefit of the members of the college, the public, the profession at large, and the ultimate benefit of all humanity.
Rose will be installed as a fellow at the organization’s September convention and scientific seminar.
“This is a well-deserved recognition of Dr. Rose’s national reputation and expertise,” IUP Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Lara Luetkehans said. “IUP is very fortunate to have a physician and educator like Dr. Rose as our founding dean for our proposed college of osteopathic medicine.”
IUP’s Council of Trustees endorsed the exploration of a possible development of a college of osteopathic medicine at IUP in December 2022. Following a national search, Rose was selected as founding dean in November 2023.
“The mission and goals of this organization fit very well with my own philosophy and the intent of IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine, especially maintaining high standards of its practicing physicians and encouragement of original research in the field,” Rose said. “I’m deeply honored to be selected as a Fellow, and excited about the opportunities that my membership in this prestigious organization can bring to students and faculty at IUP’s college,” she said.
“In the face of a global mental health crisis, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and national shortage of primary care physicians, there is a critical need for more well-trained primary care physicians who are prepared to address these mental health issues within the primary care setting,” Rose said. “IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine has this goal as part of its framework, readying new osteopathic physicians to meet this challenge head on,” she said.
There are only three colleges of osteopathic medicine in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, all at private universities; when established, IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine would be the fourth college of osteopathic medicine in the commonwealth and the only college of osteopathic medicine at a public university in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
The university chose to explore a proposed college of osteopathic medicine based on several factors, including the critical need for rural health care; there are not enough trained physicians to provide care to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s citizens: the ratio of patients to available primary care physicians is 1,367 to 1, according to the United Health Foundation.
National studies show that osteopathic medicine graduates are more likely to pursue primary care in rural and underserved areas—57 percent of all doctors of osteopathic medicine practice as general practitioners, and more than 20 percent of DO graduates practice in rural areas. Demand is high for osteopathic medicine training: in 2021, 22,708 applicants competed for 8,280 seats at schools of osteopathic medicine.
Rose came to IUP from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she was associate professor and chief of the Division of Psychiatry in the Department of Clinical Medicine and assistant dean for Clinical Education.
She founded and started the Joy Initiative at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and College of Osteopathic Medicine schools. She completed her medical training at Michigan State.
The hiring of a founding dean for IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine is one of the first steps to establishing the college. With this selection complete, IUP has formally initiated steps towards accreditation from the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation, a three- to five-year process that includes submission of self-studies and a feasibility study, along with site visits.